Jan. 26, 2011 - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at Rochester Americans 3 SO

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Grand Rapids Griffins fell to the Rochester Americans 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena, after an early lead with back-to-back power play goals by Francis Pare and Doug Janik.

After wrapping up the second of a six-game season series against the Americans (19-23-3-2), the Griffins (20-21-1-5) will return to Van Andel to host the Rockford IceHogs on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Griffins battled the Americans through a scoreless first period, before finding the net with consecutive goals in the second. Pare led the scoring with a power play goal past the glove of Jacob Markstrom at 10:36, followed by a second power play at 15:23 by Janik. Rochester was quick to respond with a goal at 16:47 off the stick of Scott Timmins, to narrow the Griffins’ lead 2-1 before heading into the third.

Late in the final stanza, Colby Robak slipped one past Jordan Pearce at 15:46 to close the gap and send the game into overtime. Pearce kept the Americans at bay throughout overtime, posting 30 saves before allowing 3 goals in 4 rounds of a shootout, while Markstrom tallied 34 stops and allowed 1 goal in 4 rounds of a shootout.

Three Stars: 1. GR Janik (1 goal, 1 assist); 2. RCH Robak (1 goal); 3. RCH Timmins (1 goal)